Text:

Sharing the Land

Debating Land Use

Illinois’ “Future Energy Jobs Act” was passed in 2016 and requires Illinois utilities to get 25% of their retail power from sun/wind by 2025. In March 2017, moratorium was passed in Dekalb County on developing wind and solar farms until a sustainable energy ordinance was passed.

Solar Power

DeKalb has one of the largest number of proposed solar projects in Illinois. As of November 2018, there were 40-plus projects going through the special permit process ahead of the Illinois project lottery. The county’s solar ordinance was passed in March 2018, and the first solar power special use permit request was for a DeKalb farm.

William Klein is a third generation farmer, and because of his electric bills, he thought he would have to move. With the help of state and federal incentives, he installed a 9900-watt solar energy system.

Borrego Solar has submitted plans for a solar garden in Milan Township that would provide power for 300 homes. In this community garden model, consumers pay a subscription fee for the solar service and receive credit for shares of the output on their monthly bill. This opportunity is available to any ComEd customer within their service area.

Wind Power

The creation of a wind ordinance was a little more complicated. Driving through central DeKalb County, some people might believe that wind turbines symbolize progress while others might argue they represent the destruction of life in the county. When working on the new county ordinance, the main concerns were residential setbacks, noise, and shadow flicker. Concerned Citizens of DeKalb were very vocal about stopping the wind farm initiative and posted signs throughout the county. After numerous opportunities for residents to meet and discuss their concerns, a new ordinance was passed on November 21, 2018. Community members were generally in favor of the new requirements, but a potential developer called them unworkable and canceled their project.

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!

If you visit Whiskey Acres, you can see they installed solar panels that now provide 100% of the electricity for both the farm and the distillery. Jamie Walter, a fifth-generation farmer and co-owner of Whiskey Acres, explained, “I think you’re going to see solar systems on farms all throughout the area, because farmers truly are some of the first and foremost environmentalists.” He further emphasized, “It’s very important to our industry to take care of the land, the soil, and the air.”